Make-Believe Marriage

by Pamela M. Kelley

  “Will check with Ethan. That sounds fun!” Cameron was working Friday night, but had no plans for Saturday night and Ethan had mentioned that he liked Figs too. She was disappointed to miss trivia with everyone tonight, but was already looking forward to going out on Saturday.

  Ethan met Tyler at the restaurant Thursday night for trivia. They pulled into the parking lot at the same time and when they walked into the restaurant, Jaclyn spotted them immediately and waved them over.

  “I hope you’re planning to join us tonight for trivia?” she asked. So far, it was just Simon and Jaclyn at the biggest table in the room. It was still early, though. Jaclyn smiled and patted the chair next to her. “The fairies told me you were coming, so I was planning to save this seat for you.”

  Ethan had heard the rumors about Jaclyn and her famous fairies. Supposedly, she believed that she could communicate with the fairies and gnomes that lived in her yard. Although most that mentioned it did so with a bit of reverence, as those fairies made some pretty accurate predictions and seemed to have a gift for match-making. He slid into the seat next to her. Tyler sat next to Simon and the two of them started chatting about golf. Simon was in his mid-seventies, loved to golf and kept himself busy working part-time in the pro shop.

  “So, I understand you’ve married Cameron?” Jaclyn asked just as Patty, their regular waitress, came by to drop off menus for the table and to take their drink orders. A few minutes later, she returned with a pitcher of root beer for Jaclyn and Simon and draft beers for Tyler and Ethan. The others had started to arrive by then as well—Bernie and David, Rachel and Adiel and Bryan and Melanie. It was a smaller group than usual as a few of the other regulars couldn’t make it.

  “So where were we?” Jaclyn said. “Oh, you were going to tell me how married life is.”

  Ethan smiled. “It’s as fine as can be expected. We’re friends and only have to stay married for a month. It should go by pretty quickly.”

  Jaclyn’s mouth dropped. “But, that’s just awful. You’re giving up so easily?”

  “What do you mean giving up? This isn’t a real relationship. Cameron’s not interested in me like that.” He thought back to the one time he’d tried asking her out. It was the end of ninth grade. They’d worked together on a science project and he’d thought they’d really connected. They’d gotten an A on the project even. It took him all week to get up his courage to ask her, but finally at the end of the day on Friday, he pulled her aside as everyone went streaming out of the classroom, took a deep breath and asked her to go with him to the upcoming semi-formal. She’d told him no about as nicely as possible, explaining that Blake had already asked her. But it was what she’d said next that crushed any remaining hopes he might have had. “Ethan, I’m so glad we’re friends. I really think you’re a great guy.” He heard he unspoken words loud and clear. “Great as a friend, and nothing more…”

  He told Jaclyn the sad story, and she just raised her eyebrows. “That was a long time ago. Things change.”

  He didn’t know what to say to that, so he just lifted his beer and took a sip. But Jaclyn wasn’t done yet. “The clock is ticking. You only have three weeks to make her fall in love with you.”

  He laughed at that. “Okay, any suggestions on how I go about doing that?”

  Jaclyn sighed. “Really? Do I have to tell you young people everything?”

  Ethan opened his menu and eyeballed the various pizza options. He thought the conversation was over, but Jaclyn wasn’t finished yet.

  “Just make sure you spend plenty of time with her. Show her who you are, what you love to do. Have fun together. The best relationships have a solid friendship at their core.”

  Ethan was still skeptical. He’d known Cameron all his life and didn’t think it was likely she’d change her opinion of him in the three remaining weeks. But Jaclyn was insistent that he try. So, somewhat reluctantly he promised that he would.

  “All right, then. Now that that’s settled, let’s order dinner. What kind of pizza does everyone want?

  During the half-time, Melissa excused herself to go talk to some friends at another table. Ethan was surprised by how quickly word had spread about his marriage to Cameron. Everyone at the table knew, and he was teased a little as they also knew it was a fake marriage, yet at the same time, he sensed from various comments that the women made that they were hopeful it would last longer than a month. They were chatting about it as Melissa left the table.

  “It’s like that show, Married at First Sight,” Melanie said. “Some of those strangers end up falling in love and making it work.”

  Jaclyn nodded. “And these two aren’t even strangers, so that already gives them an advantage. I am very optimistic.” Her smile turned to a frown, though, when Ethan felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Sierra standing there.

  “Mind if I join you for a minute to say hello? I’m sitting with friends at the bar and just noticed the seat next to you is empty.”

  “Sure. Melissa is off talking to some people.”

  Sierra settled into the chair and touched Ethan’s arm lightly. Jaclyn’s eyes narrowed and Ethan shifted position, so that her hand fell away.

  “I just wanted to thank you again for that riding lesson. It was such a wonderful afternoon at your ranch. I’d love to do it again sometime.” She batted her eyes up at Ethan and he wasn’t sure what to say. Jaclyn jumped in, though.

  “Did you hear that Ethan just got married? And to such a lovely girl, too. Cameron is beautiful.”

  Sierra looked shocked and a bit skeptical. “Really? I didn’t know you were engaged. Where is she?”

  “Cameron is working. She’s a nurse.”

  She looked a bit deflated at the news.

  “Oh, well, I guess congratulations are in order then.”

  Jaclyn looked much happier until Tyler opened his mouth and said, “It’s not a real marriage. It’s just a temporary thing, a condition of his grandmother’s will.”

  Sierra looked confused. “What do you mean?”

  “He has to stay married for a month in order to inherit the Peppercorn Ranch.”

  “Oh! How unusual.” But then a slow smile spread across her face. “So, if it’s not a real marriage, we can go out then?”

  “I’d love to, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for a few more weeks,” Ethan said apologetically.

  “It’s a legal marriage, and you never know. It may last longer than a few weeks!” Jaclyn added.

  Ethan noticed Melissa coming back to the table and was relieved. Sierra saw her coming as well and stood up. “Well, it was nice seeing you all. Ethan, I’ll be in touch.”

  Melissa sat down and raised her eyebrows at Ethan. “What was that all about?”

  “Nothing. She was just coming over to say hello.”

  “Hm. Well, that reminds me. Can you tell Cameron the new Danielle Steel just came in. I set a copy aside for her.”

  “Will do.”

  Chapter 7

  By the time Cameron got back to the ranch, it was almost eleven thirty. She figured that Ethan would probably be in bed, but was surprised to see all the lights on downstairs. When she walked in, he was sitting at the island with a gallon of ice cream. A small bowl sat beside it and he was just starting to scoop it out when he saw Cameron.

  “Hey there. Want some?”

  Her original plan was to fall into bed. But the ice cream looked good, and it was nice to come home to someone after a long night of work.

  “Maybe. What flavor is it?”

  “Mint chocolate chip.”

  Cameron smiled. “I’m in.” She got a bowl from a cupboard and joined Ethan at the island. He pushed the carton of ice cream toward her and she filled her bowl.

  “How was work?” he asked.

  “Busy. Uneventful, though. No babies born.” She grinned. “What about you? How did you guys do at trivia?”

  “We were in first place all night and then blew it on the final question.”


  “Oh, I hate when that happens.” On the final question, they could wager as many points as they wanted to, and most people bet it all, so getting it wrong usually meant you were out—unless everyone else got it wrong, too. “What was the question?”

  “What is strange about the casinos in Las Vegas?” Ethan said.

  “No one got the answer to that one?” Cameron was surprised.

  “Do you know the answer?”

  “Of course I do.”

  He looked skeptical. “What is it then?”

  “They don’t have clocks!”

  “How did you know that? Have you been to Vegas?”

  She nodded. “For a bachelorette party a few years go. It was one of the things we noticed. Someone asked why and was told it’s because they don’t want you paying attention to what time it is. They want you to keep playing…and losing.”

  Ethan laughed. “That makes sense. We were actually the only team that didn’t get it.”

  “That’s okay. We win often enough,” she said.

  “Yeah, we still had a good time. Oh, Melissa said to tell you that she has a book for you. The new Danielle Steel just came in.”

  “Oh, good! I’ll stop over there tomorrow afternoon on my way in to work.” Danielle Steel was Cameron’s favorite author, and she always bought her books as soon as they were available.

  “Do you want any more before I put it away?” Ethan scooped another big scoop into his bowl as Cameron stifled a yawn.

  “No, I’m good, thanks.” She watched as he put the ice cream back in the freezer and noticed as the kitchen light fell onto his face that his brown hair had rich chestnut tones and his eyes had intriguing gold specks in them.

  “Do you have any plans Saturday night?” she asked.

  “Saturday? No. I told Tyler I’d go fishing with him after work tomorrow. You’re working tomorrow night right?”

  “I am, but I’m off on Saturday. Rachel said she and Adiel are going to Figs to hear some band that is supposed to be good and asked if we wanted to come along? Tyler is welcome, too. The more the merrier.”

  “Sure. I’ll mention it to him. He’s totally single at the moment, so I’m sure he’ll probably want to go, too.”

  “Great, I’ll let Rachel know. I’m going to go crawl into bed now.”

  Cameron slept in the next day. She woke when the sun streamed through her windows, got up to close the shades and crawled back in bed to sleep for another hour. When she finally made her way downstairs, Mrs. Crosby was sitting at the island, stirring a bit of honey into her mid-morning cup of tea.

  “Hello, sleepyhead,” she said as she saw Cameron.

  “Morning.”

  “I just threw out the leftover coffee. You wouldn’t have wanted it. K-cups are in the cupboard if you want to brew a single cup.”

  “Perfect.” Cameron found the coffee, popped the K-cup into the Keurig machine, and a minute or so later had a steaming cup of coffee. She brought it to the island and sat down next to Mrs. Crosby. There was something in the air that smelled amazing and then she saw a loaf of some kind cooling on a wire rack.

  “What is that?” she asked

  “Lemon blueberry bread. It’s almost cool enough to cut. You’ll have to try it and let me know what you think.”

  “Twist my arm…” Cameron was suddenly starving.

  Mrs. Crosby chuckled and got up to cut the bread. She returned with generous slices for both of them. The tangle of flavors was lovely—fragrant lemon and juicy sweet blueberries. It was exactly what she felt like nibbling on.

  “So what do you have planned for yourself today? I take it you’re working the later shift again today?”

  Cameron nodded. “Yes, I go in at three. I’m meeting a friend later this afternoon for coffee and picking up a book I ordered at the bookstore at the ranch.”

  “That sounds like a nice, relaxing day. I’m making a meatloaf for Ethan’s dinner tonight. There will be plenty of leftovers, too, in case you’re hungry when you get home tonight. Oh, and I’ll be stocking up on more ice cream too when I go shopping later.”

  Cameron grinned. “I had a big bowl of it last night after work. Ethan did, too.”

  “That’s what it’s there for. His birthday is coming up soon, too, in case you didn’t know. It’s this Sunday.”

  “Oh, good to know.” Cameron wasn’t sure what would be appropriate to celebrate her fake husband’s birthday, but she wanted to do something.

  Cameron met Rachel at Sadie’s Saloon a little before two that afternoon. Rachel usually had a break in filming in early afternoon and they both loved the coffee at Sadie’s. Cameron loved the homemade ice cream there, too, but she didn’t indulge too often. The day’s special flavor was chocolate almond, and it satisfied her sweets craving. They got their coffees and sat for a few minutes before strolling over to the bookstore. Rachel couldn’t stay for more than about ten minutes or so and Cameron had to be into work soon, so it worked out well.

  “Oh, I think Olivia is going to come with us Saturday night, too. Did you ask Ethan if he wants to join us?”

  “He does. I think he’s going to mention it to Tyler, too.”

  “Oh, good. Ben and Anna are coming, too. It should be fun.” Ben and Adiel were close friends and Cameron really liked Anna, too. They didn’t get out as often as some of the others though because they had a baby.

  The bookstore was quiet when they walked in. Both Tammy and Melissa were behind the counter. Melissa owned the store and also wrote mysteries, and Tammy was her assistant manager. Melissa smiled when she saw her.

  “Oh, good, Ethan told you. I just started my copy, and this one is great!”

  “I heard you guys did great last night,” Cameron said.

  Melissa laughed. “We did, until the last question.” She rang up Cameron’s book, popped it in a paper bag and then handed it to her along with her change. “How are things going with you and Ethan?” she asked. Cameron noticed a funny tone in her voice.

  “Oh, it’s fine. It helps that we’re friends.”

  Melissa looked disappointed. “Oh, that’s it, just friends. Well, that explains it then.”

  “Explains what?”

  “Sierra Barker was there and stopped over to say hello to Ethan. She seemed really interested in him,” Melissa said.

  “Really?” Cameron was surprised to hear her name mentioned again.

  “Yeah. What do you think of her, Rachel?” Melissa asked.

  “I don’t really know her very well. I know she’s had some issues with a few of the other actors, but she’s always been nice to me.”

  “Did Ethan seem interested in her?” Cameron asked. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason she didn’t like the idea of her with him.

  Melissa thought about it for a moment. “I’m not sure. He did say he didn’t think it was appropriate for him to see her for a few more weeks.”

  “She asked him out?”

  “I didn’t really hear the whole conversation, but that’s what it seemed like. Jaclyn definitely didn’t approve. But Sierra was relieved to hear it was a fake marriage.”

  “That’s interesting.” Cameron wasn’t sure what else to say about it. Sierra was a beautiful girl and famous. She supposed that she should be happy for Ethan, but she really didn’t like the idea of it at all.

  When she got home from work, the lights were all on again, and she wondered if Ethan was still up and into the ice cream. She smiled at the thought of it. But when she walked in, the kitchen was empty. There was a low hum coming from the family room and as she walked down the hall, she could see that the television was on.

  Ethan was sprawled out on the sofa with a book face down on his chest. His eyes were shut tight, and he was lightly snoring. He looked so peaceful. She noticed that he had a freckle right above his lip. It looked kind of cute there and she’d never noticed it before. Ethan was really much cuter than she’d ever realized. She’d never really looked at him closely before, though. She thought a
bout that for a moment, then went over to him and carefully removed the book and set it on the coffee table. She clicked off the television and very lightly tapped Ethan’s shoulder.

  “Ethan…”

  There was still no movement. She tried again, a little louder. “Ethan, let’s go up to bed.”

  His eyes fluttered open, and he sat up, looking disoriented until he saw her in her nurse’s scrubs.

  “What time is it?” he muttered.

  “It’s late. You must have fallen asleep watching TV. I’m heading upstairs to bed.”

  “Okay, I’m right behind you.”

  Chapter 8

  The house was quiet the next morning when Cameron came downstairs. She remembered that Mrs. Crosby had mentioned that she was usually off on the weekends, and she’d only worked the past weekend to help with the wedding and getting them settled in.

  The sky was dark, and the rain was falling hard and fast outside the huge bay window in the kitchen. It was perfect weather to curl up with a good book and to do some laundry. She made herself a cup of coffee and threw a load of laundry in. She cut herself a slice of the lemon blueberry bread, grabbed her new book and settled by the window in a comfy, overstuffed chair.

  She quickly lost herself in the story and almost didn’t hear Ethan’s footsteps when he came into the kitchen an hour later. When she looked up, he was making coffee and looked half awake.

  “Good morning,” she said cheerily.

  “Hi. I can’t believe I slept so late.”

  She glanced out the window. “It’s a good day for it. Do you have anything you need to do today?”

  “Not a thing. Just write out some bills and maybe ride out to the ranch house and visit with the guys. They have everything pretty well covered. What are you up to?”

  “Laundry and relaxing. Reading for a bit, maybe watching a movie later this afternoon.”